In Durban, South Africa, it is more than a metaphor that any kind of agreement at the annual United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in year 17, (COP17) is realized .  After the conference officially ended— it went two days into overtime. This was not the first time, overtime has become the norm in the past— it’s a pattern that may be a warning about our future.  COP17 came dangerously close to no deal at all, but ended with the bare minimum as the controversial and the only international binding climate policy, the Kyoto Protocol, will continue.

The Kyoto Protocol which originated in Japan in 1997 still has flaws, loopholes, weak rules, bad definitions, and it still lacks key countries commitments, but its 2012 expiration was extended for another five years (until the end of 2017) with a  mandate for a future treaty.  There is a work plan to begin next year with deliberately blurred targets.  The AdHoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action will negotiate new global agreement by  2015 to be ratified by all countries, that would come in force by 2020.  The who, what, where, and legally binding details need to still be worked out.

The issue is 2020 may be too late, but there is now at least a mapped out path to a legally binding agreement on emissions reductions—  will they be enough, in time? The Durban negotiations did not manage to extend the emissions cut pledges made in both Copenhagen in 2009 and 2010 in Cancun, but the agreement  intends to have a more transparent process. The Kyoto scheme rewards governments or companies with carbon credits when they invest in clean energy projects in developing countries, which they can trade and sell for profit.

The Green Climate Fund was created, which is great, but it has yet to have any funds from governments. However  its shell is a start. Also included are measures involving the preservation of tropical forests and international cooperation in clean-energy technology transfer.

Many small island states and developing nations are at risk of rising sea levels and extreme weather—  this deal marked the lowest common denominator possible.

After Durban, we are still headed for over 3°C warming, so more ambitious actions from each country are needed. The proposed reductions of greenhouse gasses on the table are not sufficient to limit temperature increase to 2°C. A warming over 3°C might bring the world close to several potential global-scale tipping points such as:

• The Amazon rainforest could die back—  instead we want the lungs of our planet to be protected and to thrive.
• Corals reefs could be permanently replaced by algae and sea grass—  we want to see our coral reefs grow, thrive, and be restored to their beautiful colors, encouraging a more vibrant ecosystem.
• Greenland ice sheets melted, lost for many centuries to thousands of years—  we want to see them sustained without further melting.
• Risk of release of methane hydrates in ocean floor sediments further adding to the warming—  we want our oceans go back to their extraordinary sustainable state.
• Permafrost thawing due to fast rising arctic temperatures—  we want that to slow down and ideally stop!

A depiction of the types of impacts from 1.5°C -2°C and 3-4°C has been posted on the Climate Action Tracker website. As a result, carbon emissions are now setting the world on course for possibly four degrees Celsius (7.2 degrees Fahrenheit), twice the 2° C (3.6 °F) goal declared by UNFCCC parties last year as a safe maximum.

The Maldives takes the lead with powerful action. Countries like Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand followed the US’s embarrassing lead by stalling at COP17. China and India showed flexibility and both have in recent years installed powerful environmental policy.  Click here to see how the each country is taking action in relation to specific measurable results based on science.

As the world leaders continued to talk, it’s was not just the climate’s temperature that kept rising. People around the world that were frustrated started to protest.

“Occupy the COP” was one of the many chants . “I’m for Climate Justice,” they exclaimed by human microphone, “We are here today for the people who can’t be here. We are here today for the people who will suffer the weight of climate change. We are here today for Africa. We are here today for the island nations. We are here today for the world to say ‘listen to the people, not the polluters.’ We are here today to support those that are inside who are still fighting for a real climate deal. ” Listen to the people.  Abigail Borah, a New Jersey resident was able to interrupt the US concluding remarks by calling for action during the Plenary, which caused her to be “ejected” from the event, and that generated global media attention.  Kumi Naidoo, Executive Director of Greenpeace, was removed in plastic handcuffs.  Canadian youth  stood up and turned their backs on their country’s representative when he spoke— actions of protest continued. Check out this slide show.

Another form of protest was the many signatures sent directly to the White House to President Obama—  all going viral through the same multi-media tactic Obama had used to build his constituency of supporters in the US during the election.  During the climax, as well as all during COP17, powerful petitions gathered signatures of people and circulated by AVAZ,  and  350.org that showed that people care about “eco”—  it’s not just the economy, but also our ecology.

Our World Team Now participates in the Tcktcktck campaign, representing almost 300 of the most active environmental NGOs. Leading up to COP17 and during the negotiations, Tcktcktck gave daily reports with briefings, summaries, and updates that kept us all informed.

Vacant chairs at the end of UNFCCC “COP” is a disturbingly familiar frustration that comes from the lack of agreement.  Then those leaders left resort to private, closed doors conversations— which are where action happens.  Haunting memories of COP15’s ending where the people committed to change spoke up and many of the world leaders, if they came, had left.   It took many of us years to process and digest COP15 ‘s extended time where we didn’t sleep much. This time, the “Occupy” tactic took hold, pronounced at the end of the United Nations Climate Change Conference for the youth— NGO’s and the people who represented the 99% who stayed and  “Occupied” COP17.

Bianca Jagger, who I was with at the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992, explained the situation, “There is a clear disconnect between the science and the UNFCCC climate negotiations. Scientific fact is being ignored by politicians who are putting their short term agendas before the survival of humankind. I am not being alarmist. The situation is alarming”. Check out Bianca’s article in the Huffington Post  about the inevitability of COP17 being “Occupied”.

From the world perspective, the behavior of the United States is at best, difficult to understand.  Why did the US just send climate envoy Todd Stern to negotiate without any powerful leaders?  After all, at COP15 Secretary of State Hilary Clinton was there with President Obama, who declared, “We’re back,” which gave us all hope.  The US which is one of the largest polluters is causing other countries to suffer from the actions of our industrialization.  Climate change has most affected some of the poorest regions of the world.  The devastating consequences for human civilization and all life on Earth are already evident and getting worse, especially on the vulnerable African continent that hosted these talks.  So why is there no action with the US now?

One view is President Obama needs a constituency of support from the US, and he does not have a large enough one yet.  Instead we have a grid locked congress that has been unable to agree on energy policy.  The majority of the people of the US do not even know about these conferences, as the majority of the “1% media” does not cover this on a large scale.  Thankful for the NYTimes’ coverage).   Although with the EPA’s statement that greenhouse gasses are hazardous to our health gives Obama the authority to act on behalf of the people of the US, which we all hoped he would have the courage to do in Copenhagen at COP15, he had only a relatively small constituency of support from the people of the US.  We hope that this inaction is merely an act to prompt people to become aware—  as he is a “public servant” and needs a constituency.  Strategically, it would more likely be that the US will take action at Rio, during the Earth Summit where there will be more global attention for the twenty year reunion (Rio+20) and it will be closer to the November Presidential Election, and more would be involved, so a victory at Rio of this magnitude, on the global stage, will be fresher in people’s short attention spans, giving a win at the last minute, and capturing once again the drama of the game.

Another view is maybe the United Nations, like many other outmoded systems that are being reevaluated around the world, will need to collapse and be replaced? It’s not easy drafting a new U.N. treaty.  In this case, if the US continues to ignore the rest of the world, it could be the beginning of a greater down fall.  Maybe an ideal outcome would be a new system (structure) to be re-created to actually represent the people of the world, considering the world at large, as one.  Or it could be just growing the present structure as planned from Durban.

Mate Nkoana-Mashabane, the president of the conference and South Africa’s foreign minister said,“We have saved planet earth for the future of our children and our great grand children to come. We have made history”.

It may be wishful thinking that with the 2012  COP18 in Qatar, which will be turning 18 years of the annual meeting.  COP18 will not only be of legal age, but maybe it will also begin to produce strong legally binding global policy that the world will embrace in respect for our environment, and for our whole world.

“Africa Roars” Aerial Art by John Quigley

Once again, in the shadows of COP15, it’s the young people from across the world, taking a stand, “roaring” for a binding global agreement and climate action.  Sometimes it is through the art and the voice of the people, especially the youth, where change can easily take root-as seen by the impact of art, especially aerial art, to communicate a “higher” vision.  The youth refuse to accept the prospect of a toothless treaty from leaders that claim to represent them at COP17. With their future under threat, young people are making their presence felt and their voices heard at the UN climate talks in Durban, South Africa.

As climate talks heat up in this second week, some nations are still uncertain about extending the Kyoto Protocol (KP), which is set to expire at the end of 2012 Young people are calling for a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol to be implemented immediately to provide a bridge to a new, more comprehensive climate treaty by 2015.

Tom Youngman, 18, from Bath, UK said: “A second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol is essential. The leaders of polluting nations have run out of excuses. We are running out of time. We need a legally binding agreement now to ensure a safe future for us and future generations. The Kyoto Protocol isn’t perfect, but it serves as an essential bridge to a new more holistic treaty. Under its watchful eye we’ve seen a transition in the way we live our lives – being ‘green’ is now thoroughly mainstream. It is essential leaders work together today to sign this treaty and protect our future. We stand with the leaders of vulnerable states that struggle to get their voice heard at these conferences when making this statement.”

This week, hundreds of young people have flooded the Durban conference centre playing host to COP17, the UN’s annual climate summit, donning t-shirts emblazoned ‘I ♥ KP’. Even leading negotiators have worn ‘I ♥ KP’ t-shirts and ties, showing that support for this treaty is widespread.

This support was echoed by a negotiator speaking on behalf of the Africa group, speaking in the plenary session, who stated: “We will not let African soil become the graveyard for the Kyoto Protocol.”

A recent report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned that we have five years to prevent irreversible changes in our climate and catastrophic impacts on humanity. Young people echo the report’s findings in stressing the urgency of the situation and the necessity of a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol in Durban.

“The Maldives are already experiencing adverse impacts of climate change in the form of issues of food security, water scarcity, and dengue epidemics. The economy is totally dependent on natural resources. Already, the beaches on which we depend are eroding and coral reefs being bleached due to rise in sea surface temperatures.” said Aisha Niyaz, age 29, who has travelled from the Maldives to stand up for her and her community’s survival as part of global youth at the UN climate talks in Durban, South Africa. “The Maldives was the first country to raise the issue of climate change in a UN general assembly. Without new legally binding commitments to act on climate change, our nation is doomed. Its future would be non-existent.”

The omnipresence of the “I ♥  KP” slogan is a symbolic call to negotiators to put politics aside and to remember what is at stake— lives and livelihoods of people and communities across the globe. By wearing the shirts throughout the negotiation halls, young people are reminding negotiators of the urgency in passing a fair, ambitious and binding climate treaty in Durban.

]]> http://teamworld12.wordpress.com/2011/12/08/youth-roars-with-courage-for-climate-action-world-leaders-fumble-over-future/feed/ 0 teamworld12 http://teamworld12.wordpress.com/2011/12/05/cop17-our-worlds-crazy-climate/ http://teamworld12.wordpress.com/2011/12/05/cop17-our-worlds-crazy-climate/#comments Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:36:44 +0000 teamworld12 http://teamworld12.wordpress.com/?p=1358 Continue reading →]]>

As 99% of the world cries out with various forms of the Occupy Movement, one thing seems to be clear to almost all— the systems we have created for humanity to live within need to be reconsidered, and ultimately transformed.  These are crazy times and to look at our systems globally is to wonder, with all of the magnificent brilliance of humanity, how did we end up here?  Why do our political, medical, legal, educational, financial systems seem ineffective in truly serving humanity at large?  How can we continue to make decisions about one country or state, when this is one world and the boundaries are shrinking with the realization like parts of the body— what is done to one part (or country) affects the whole body or (world).  Why can’t we take this to heart and take action about climate change and agree to significant environmental policy for our world and our future? If not at COP17, maybe Rio+20 will be the time— after all Brazil is shaped like a heart.

The United Nations conferences have been the global games for tackling environmental issues facing humanity and our planet.  COP17 is taking place in Durban, South Africa and how many in the world are even aware?  Yes, the daily agenda is dense and intense— making it easier for most of us to ignore as week two begins. This past week the US media had little coverage on COP17.  Was it primarily because much of the world perceived the United States’ leading monetary capitalism as the giant elephant in the room that prevented the rest of the world from taking steps forward?

Finally, the New York Times did a thorough article on the Kyoto Protocol, which is the closest we have come so far, to significant global environmental policy— although flawed it still may be better than not having anything. Here is a good article on the EU ‘s fight for climate policy.  Unfortunately, the US Congress attempts to pass energy or climate policy has stalled as the issue is gridlocked between Democrats and the Republicans.  Perhaps an African approach would be more successful?  S. Africa’s actions with renewable energy and approach to understand the link to economics deserves attention.

COP17 update:

Suzanne Maxx for World Team

On Friday there was talk that China would indeed consider signing a deal at COP17— if so the United States might no longer have an excuse.  Memories of COP15 and bearing witness to the frustrating way the United States and China were communicating with the rest of the world still haunt many of us.

The Weekend

C17  took an active role in organizing the march of about 5,000 people  through the streets of Durban this past weekend.  Tck,tck,tck, a campaign World Team Now is involved with, helped rally the civil action that  is an important part of all the U.N. conferences.   This  UNFCC conference  was no different— as marches bring more than talk, paper, and policy and into lives showing masses of humanity together in action.

Concert

As a GCCA partner, World Team Now celebrates Artist Project Earth (APE), holding a benefit concert for victims of East Africa’s famine on Sunday December 4^th, during COP17 in Durban.

APE has a long history of raising funds to help those suffering from the effects of natural disasters. To date, three albums have been launched in collaboration with Cuban musicians and Western artists, including Amy Winehouse, Sting, Coldplay, U2, and Gorillaz. Global sales have topped the one and a half million mark allowing the organization to fund nearly 300 global projects which address natural disaster relief and climate change awareness. World Team Now stands in support of this work.

Hope, at the Last Minute

As usual the last two days of the conference, the 8^th and the 9^th, when the heads of state are all present, we can hope  action will happen.  As much as we would like to see progress here, unfortunately the end may be when the Kyoto Protocol expires— the last chance looks to be Rio in June, but hope still remains for the Kyoto Protocol at COP17. Remembering the legacy of President Lulu and seeing how amazing he was in Copenhagen at COP15, we ask Brazil to keep on the path of transformation at COP17 as in this AVAZ campaign. It would be great if we would awake to perceive these last 20 years of trying to come to an agreement as just a bad dream, and be present to a new reality for our world…

30th Chili Cook -Off in Malibu, CA

World Team Now (WTN) was part of our community in the 30^th Annual Malibu Chili Cook Off, carnival and fair on Labor Day Week End.

Genna, Suzanne, Laura kick off Volunteers@ the Chili Cook Off

At WTN’s booth people got a free massage & renewed more than your own body’s energy, they learned about alternative renewable energy options for our world. Participating in our local community where WTN began, we shared with the public information on environmental initiates, held raffles, gave away t-shirts (thanks to Ozzie Silna) & samples of eco friendly cleaning supplies with a team of 8 volunteers.

World Team Now's Global EV enthusiasts

Ironic that although we had a booth, our all electric vehicle (EV), charging to the new City of Malibu’s Chargers drew much more curiosity from attendees walking by on the way to the fairgrounds. There were crowds of people from all over the world gathered around our car eager to hear how EVs worked and about charging.  They were surprised to learn they could rent an EV from Hertz, and also shocked the charging was free to the public.  We are grateful this event provided yet another great opportunity to educate the public on the importance of alternative energy and vehicle electrification.

Global Climate Change is being brought front and center not just by all the extreme weather events occurring around the world but people are now taking action to create events, to better educate the public;

• Last Week 8.6 million viewers from around the world watched “24hours of Global Climate Reality,” check out some of the presentations including Al Gore’s.
•  Climate Week in New York
• Climate Facts from our Tck,tck, tck partners
• Live Stream today on :Economics, Environment and Security: It’s All About the Positive Energy
• On Saturday the 24th join us in the Global Movement for World Team Now’s Wheel in Renewable Energy

Photo by Stefano Paris

World Team Now’s local efforts to promote electric vehicles and the charging infrastructure,  was celebrated in Malibu, California on that same day President Obama announced that fuel standard would be raised to 54.5mpg for the USA. Large scale adoption of vehicle electrification and the new fuel standards are both active steps to inspire environmental and economic sustainability.

World Team Now (WTN) our non-profit organization that is part of our emergent multi-media project, World Team, connected the City of Malibu with electric vehicle charger manufacturer, Clipper Creek  to upgrade the chargers to “work” with state grant funds from the California Energy Commission. ”Our goals is to raise awareness and educate the public,”says Founder Suzanne Maxx.

The City of Malibu is the first beachside city in the USA to take advantage of the new charger upgrade grant program.  To augment the local City of Malibu’s ribbon cutting ceremony for the new electric vehicle charging stations, WTN brought in the leading global rental company, Hertz.

Hertz’s Tesla Roadster and Nissan Leaf both came from Hertz on Demand and Hertz Entertainment Services

Jim Boysen of Hertz Entertainment Services took to the podium to share about Hertz’s vision:

“To make electric vehicles accessible to consumers and to assist private industry, municipalities and government in the creation of an infrastructure that supports a transition to the wide use of electric vehicles,” (a mission supported by World Team Now).

Jim spoke about Pepperdine University being one of the nationwide college campuses offering Hertz on Demand. Hertz has plans for the source of their electricity used to be generated by solar energy, and is rolling out solar roof projects.

Rt-lft, Jim Boysen (Hertz) City Council Member Lou LaMonte, Mayor Pro-Tem Laura Rosenthal, Mayor John Sibert, Actor Larry Hagman, Councilmen Jefferson Wagner, and center, World Team Now's Founder Suzanne Maxx

World Team Now’s Honorary President Actor Larry Hagman was one of the VIPs, there to support World Team’s activities.  Larry produces the nation’s largest amount of residential solar energy.  Since WTN’s benefit dinner sponsor Solar World, who has donated solar panels to WTN joined forces with Larry for the campaign “Shine Baby Shine” which promotes solar energy globally.

The City Council event attracted network coverage, local media, EV enthusiasts, WTN supporters, and local residents with EVs.  There were about a dozen EV’s on site ranging from the new Tesla to the old Toyota RAV4 driven by Malibu local “William” and his two little special needs dogs.

Hertz' Tesla- Leafs and Toyota's RAV4 Photo by Stefano Paris

A real mini horse & carriage pulled up along the side the EVs charging– it put “energy” and the transformation of transportation in perspective– we have come along way.  The ribbon cutting ceremony took place in front of the Civic Center and Library across the street from the City’s new Legacy Park.  Mayor John Sibert presided over the City Council’s ribbon cutting along with Laura Rosenthal and advocates of World Team Now’s efforts for the City Charger project Lou LaMonte and Jefferson Wagner who went out on a limb to make the grant happen with WTN for the city.

Rt. Jim Boysen, John Sibert, Lou LaMonte, Laura Rosenthal,Jefferson Wagner, Suzanne Maxx and Larry Hagman (photo by Stefano Paris)

Former USA Ambassador of Malta Professor Douglas Kmeic rode an electric bike to the chargers’ installation where World Team documented the EV chargers– conducting interviews and filming the process of the installation on July 27^th.  Doug helped to frame the local action into the big picture perspective of the USA’s dependency on foreign oil, and the international politics that affect our country’s economic and environmental safety and security.

Kava Seward was there from State Senator Fran Pavley’s office who presented The City of Malibu an award for sustainability.

WTN's installation shoot actor/activist Max Gail, singer Laura Fercano, and WTN cameraman "Zac "!

Other VIP attendees and supporters included Steve Soberoff, actor/activist Max Gail, activist John Quigley, local/global musician John Zambetti, his wife Joan, and singer Laura Fercano. World Team Now had a great crew to film both days of action.  We offer a special thanks to all who made the filming and installation possible—you know who you are—we appreciate our local constituency in Malibu who helped and invite all who are interested to join us.

WTN's Suzanne Maxx and Hertz's all electric Nissan Leaf

World Team Now’s Founder and President Suzanne Maxx traded in Hertz’s Nissan Altima, for the Hertz’s all new Nissan Leaf, which boasts zero emissions. “Life in an EV is a new reality– it changes ones perception about time, distance and energy!  Suzanne in her new leaf was the first one to lead the “charge” at the new electric vehicle charging stations in the City of Malibu.   “There is a sense of integrity and freedom to be as responsible as possible for the resources used to harmonize on this World Team journey with life, said Suzanne. “It takes a team, to transform transportation”.

Local and global non-profit World Team Now (WTN) utilized teamwork for the public to have access to free electric vehicle charging stations in the City of Malibu.

Hertz's Nissan Leaf takes Charge @New EV Charging Station in Malibu

Malibu’s electric vehicle charging initiative is an example of teamwork. The City of Malibu old electric vehicle charging stations were repaired and replaced (see “Time for the Charge”). World Team Now knew there were funds available from the state through a program from the California Energy Commission to cover the cost for cities for their electric vehicle chargers to upgrade to the newly adopted universal plug standard SAE J1772, and repair the old charger that is needed for EV’s like the RAV4 that have been in existence before the plug standard was adopted.

World Team Now built a constituency and approached the Malibu City Council who decided to accept the state grant. Manufacturer Clipper Creek won the grant to supply their leading electric vehicle chargers. EVConnect orchestrated the installation.

This local government action and the national fuel standards increase are steps to address the United Nation’s Security Council declarative statement issued last week that climate change is a threat to all nations’ security and welfare. Governments were asked to take action.  World Team Now leads the EV “charge” forward for public awareness and to grow the charging infrastructure.

World Team Now succeeded to team up The City of Malibu, with Clipper Creek, for three new and upgraded electric vehicle (EV) chargers! This local effort hopes to be an example for the world as our city’s government is taking action for change, and one of the first to be recipients of the grant from the California Energy Commission. WTN’s journey with the Malibu Chargers is the beginning for the World Team pilot project.  To read the World Team Now’s press release click here. The charger installation will happen this week, along with a ribbon cutting ceremony of July 29^th at 11:00 at the Civic Center in Malibu, so please join us.  To read the City of Malibu’s press release click here.

WTN plans to have some of the latest electric vehicles in Malibu courtesy of Hertz, which is bringing some of their EVs: the Tesla, Leaf and Smart for 2.  Some local celebrities will be there to drive and share their own vehicles.  World Team Now’s founder Suzanne Maxx will be driving the all-electric Nissan Leaf from the leading environmentally aware rental company, Hertz.   The goal is to raise public awareness with this installation and local event to inspire more electric vehicles to be purchased or just simply driven and support the accessibility of EV charging.  WTN encourages the EV chargers to get their energy from renewable energy resources, such as solar energy that ties to the grid for commoditization renewable energy sources.

World Team Now’s charging initiative is happening at time when the EV wave is breaking.  Check out these current EV events: Plug-In 2011 July 18-21, 2011, Raleigh, North Carolina that just happened and the IEEE Power & Energy Society 2011 General Meeting July 24-28, Detroit, Michigan whose theme this year is “The Electrification of Transportation & the Grid of the Future” and is happening now! Want more on EVs? Click on the following words: for our article, paper, newsletter, or blog.  Want to know about some new EVs? Click here.  To being electric, and charged with consciousness and action!

The potential greater public concern is the dumpsite where as many as 30,000 55-gallon drums of plutonium-contaminated waste are stored in fabric tents above ground this adds to the element of usual catastrophic effects of fire.

“These drums are designed to a safety standard that would withstand a wildland fire worse than this one,” Lab spokeswoman Lisa Rosendorf said, the drums contain cleanup from Cold War-era waste that the lab sends away in weekly shipments to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.  Charlie McMillan, Los Alamos Labs Director as of a month ago, starts off with significant challenges.

Teams from the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Radiological Assistance Program are on the way to the scene to help assess any nuclear or radiological hazards, said Kevin Smith, Los Alamos Site Office manager.  The teams will monitor the air and contaminants. The National Guard and State Police have been called in to patrol, with the main road into Los Alamos closed.

Watch the news reports coming out today, and it is hard to hold the light for humanity.  The key is appreciation of what we have now, and to gain perspective to change our patterns regarding the source of energy.

"Solar Impulse" Soaring Innovation with Renewable Energy

If you continue to read about the dark reality of the situation of Fukushima, at least make it to the end of the post to focus on something positive, that gives hope, like the solar airplane; Solar Impulse in flight.  Who would have ever thought it was possible?

Fukushima still continues to spew radiation; this is projected to be ongoing for at least another year before the water temperatures drop below boiling since it is now confirmed that at three of the reactors had “meltdowns”. More about the situation continues to be revealed. TEPCO has re-calculated the amount of initial radiation released in the first week of Fukushima.  As a result there is serious concern about the effect of “Hot particles,” also known as “Fuel fleas” to human health. Hot particles when ingested through food we eat, breathed in, or drank through water/milk, or on skin; cause cancer. Watch Fairwinds Arnie Gunderson’s video on “Hot Particles” to better understand what hot particles are, and how they may affect us. Click here to see the interview by CNN’s John King about the re-calculation of radiation released.   Parents are concerned the amount of radiation their children are receiving as far away as Tokyo. Evidence of the Fukushima radiation (which may include hot particles) is found predominantly throughout Japan, but also around the world including Hawaii, along the West Coast  in 13 cities in the USA, and  Ireland.

Remains of building #4 reactor and radioactive storage pool that holds spent nuclear fuel photo released by TEPCO

There is the question of the #4 fuel pool’s storage instability, this is a critical situation with the looming threat of the pool’s structural integrity in addition to keeping the rods from overheating without a cooling system. Work was done to re-enforce the troubled fuel pool which is elevated several floors above the ground level in what remains of the building (see video from a month ago).  Plutonium discovered outside Fukushima does not ease the severity of the situation. The radiation from Fukushima continues to stream at high levels into the air, water, and earth.  Disposal of radioactive water will continue to be an issue, and radioactive sewage is now a reality too. Not only are the lungs of people in danger but also radiation is affecting the lungs of our planet flora and fauna.

It is out of the ordinary in the Japanese culture to protest, but this past weekend was the three months from the date it all began, March 11^th and people had enough, so they took to the streets in protest of nuclear power. Fukushima protests have gone as far as Germany too.   People shouted “Fukushima Warned”—pull the plug on all nuclear power plants,” and they also yelled “Fukushima, Chernobyl, too much is too much!”  German’s protests where the largest anti-nuclear protest in history with tens of thousands of people. Riot control is now in force for the upcoming annual TEPCO board meeting, June 28th .

TEPCO’s situation remains a challenge (see daily status). Fukushima did not happen without warning.  Japan’s rolling blackouts does affect the economy. Decisions made during the crisis created suspicion and mistrust within the Japanese Government itself and between the USA and Japan and remains precarious on all fronts. Adult suicide rates have grown and nearby school children will begin to wear a dosimeter at all times to accurately measure the amount of radiation they receive. Dosimeters will be for children 4-15 yrs. old and under 3yrs. at the parents’ request to help measure monthly radiation exposure.  But the program will not begin until September, and cannot measure hot particles ingested.

It has been suggested that Fukushima be a repository for nuclear waste, even though it is on the “ring of fire”—a study is being done now to consider making this site a permanent graveyard a nuclear repository.

Governments from 30 nuclear countries called for stress tests after Fukushima and international nuclear policy is being discussed. Japan admits to being unprepared for a nuclear disaster even though they were warned—whether that is even possible to prepare for a nuclear disaster, when there is so many potentially fatal factors, is now being rightfully questioned.  Many countries are willing to learn from Japan’s experience as people all around the world are standing up to their governments and saying “no more nukes”.  Italy’s funny and creative video campaign “Freedom of Choice” brought people out to vote on nuclear power. Italy now joins Switzerland, Germany, and voted in a referendum on Monday against the use of nuclear power.

As nuclear power becomes less of an option it affects the controversial uranium minihttp://resourcetelevision.tumblr.com/post/6249855066/remember-fukushima-3-months-ago-a-disaster-likeng in Australia and the USA’s Grand Canyon where companies have applied for a license to begin mining, as well as in other parts of the world where uranium mining exists now.

France who has been the global leader in nuclear energy is now being pressured by the people to reconsider this source of energy too. The big question remains with USA and China, as both continue to hold up the issues of global importance now, as they are doing in Bonn, Germany on the road to Rio+20.

Right now, in the USA,  the decision to extend a nuclear power plant’s license lives at the Federal Government level and each state government, like it or not, now has to accept the federal decision made on their behalf—but that may soon change. State vs. federal is going at it, for example, in Vermont and Massachusetts where they have started to fight this battle in court to take back their power. As a result, Vermont Yankee may have their recent nuclear plant operation renewal revoked, as it is highly controversial that it was even extended.   It is one of the oldest reactors and has the same reactor model as Fukushima, and has been cited for safety failures numerous times. The operating company, Entergy (a large contributor to President Obama’s campaign), is now in a lawsuit with the state of Vermont; this may get more interesting. Massachusetts is filling suit too, and brings to question whether California and New York will take action next and what the USA & China will do regarding this so-called “nuclear renaissance”. There is concern that no entity will be able to prepare for the terrorist threat involving nuclear plants .

We need an international framework and policy structured for nuclear as well as other environmental catastrophes, and mechanisms to approach them when they affect the entire world. This is idealistic but in times like this, we need a little idealism.

Embracing the reality of this entire nuclear situation is not easy.   A reminder to consider the bigger perspective—read “Energy and the Future of our Earth” here.

"Liquid Solar Robot" on mission to collect data

Let’s focus on hope by trying to find something positive like this new helpful technology “Liquid Robots” that may help monitor the oceans’ with their solar powered ocean robots that could accurately measure contaminates.  Or remember the Solar Eagle aerial art we made last year as to raise awareness of the U.N. Climate Conference in Cancun.  Let’s think about the Solar Impulse that actually took flight again and landed yesterday in Paris! World Team Now is focused on renewable energy,  and finding  innovative solutions. It takes a team and we need all the help we can get, so please join us!  We appreciate the support and welcome your comments.

"Karma" photo courtesy of Fisker Automotive

There are small solutions to environmental challenges that may have a big impact with electric vehicles, renewable energy, and the smart grid. Large environmental problems like the ongoing Fukushima nuclear catastrophe and the effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico still loom, but one of the solutions to the planet’s environmental woes is rapidly approaching.  Vehicle electrification can ease dependence on polluting petroleum that contributes to climate change, yet many people are not fully informed on how electric vehicles will fit into their lives. One information gap is public understanding of the important fit between electric vehicles (EVs) and the smart grid.

There is a game changing research paper that shows we can transform the energy equation - “Vehicle Electrification: Status and Issues,” it was just published in the special Smart Grid issue of The Proceedings of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). It shows we can change the energy equation, serving as a reference source to understand electric vehicles from a whole systems perspective.

Many people do not realize there are many electric vehicles available, and the size of this EV wave now breaking.  Here is an original chart of new grid enabled vehicles (GEV) to use as resource.  Choose the new electric vehicle you want to see from small tabs at the bottom of the page where vehicles are divided into categories; Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV), Plug in Electric Vehicles (PEV), Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV).

This EV paper is timely and important since the case for electric vehicles needs to be more clearly understood, from the point of view of public perception and long term evaluation.  The research and statistics presented will gain value over time when people need to cite sources to accelerate the transition to a renewable energy global economy.

EV’s and the Smart Grid are two topics that present solutions at a time the planet is challenged to live in balance with our natural resources regarding energy generation. A key functionality of a smart grid is the intelligent management of distributed sources of power derived from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, tidal, etc. It is important that renewable energy can be paired with energy storage for a more adaptable power grid; this is one of the key features of the smart grid article.

To adapt to the moving electrical loads that are EVs is one of the major design goals for the smart grid. EVs also potentially offer valuable energy storage capabilities for smart grids (Vehicle to Grid).

IEEE's Published Paper "Vehicle Electrification: Status and Issues"(Click on the image to read)

World Team Now (WTN) board members Albert Boulanger and Suzanne Maxx teamed up with Andy Chu of A123 Systems Inc. and Dave Waltz of Columbia University’s Computational Learning Systems (CCLS) for the IEEE  paper Vehicle Electrification: Status and Issues—a topic that offers solutions to our environmental challenges. World Team Now, our California and New York based non-profit organization, raises public awareness about renewable energy solutions, like the EVs.   We recently worked with The City of Malibu (Click Here for EV Campaign) to secure a grant to get their electric vehicle chargers working and upgraded too.

To make the transition to vehicle electrification, the public needs to understand how their transportation choices play into the big picture.  Each individual has the opportunity to carve out his or her own role in this change by making educated choices with what we drive and how we live.

Here is a new original chart of grid enabled vehicles (GEV) to use as resource in making these choices.At the bottom of the image you an click on the tab to view vehicles in each of these categories;

“Karma,” (the vehicle) from Fisker Automotive made its production debut this past weekend at the Monaco Grand Prix.  Back in 2005, World Team Now worked to build an alternative vehicle parade to premiere at Monaco’s Grand Prix.  The Sovereign Prince of Monaco, Albert the 2^nd, was behind the wheel and founder Henrik Fisker rode shot gun—fulfilling a long anticipated coming of a high end electric sports car with the innovation to also take gasoline, if necessary.

Loving "Karma's" Solar Roof, photo courtesy of Fisker Automotive

Fisker’s Karma lives up to its name. Its good Karma resides in its solar roof, LED lights, and use of recycled and reclaimed components.  It is a more than a transition vehicle while the full-on vehicle infrastructure is being built to support EV charging. The Karma is one of the greenest cars on the market—cradle to grave—when it is charged every 100 miles via solar, or other renewable energy source.   Marketing Director Roger Ormisher said, “We should have the car rolled out with dealers and customers in August at the latest.”  Fisker also plans to have its own charge points, according to Ormisher.

In Baden-Baden Germany, June 9 is the last day of the IEEE conference on Intelligent Vehicles. Vehicle intelligence, the ability of vehicles to talk to other vehicles, can enhance safety and ease traffic flow.  Intelligent vehicles with driver assist features can act like remote sensors to following vehicles and even eventually drive the following vehicle in emergency situations.

A considerable obstacle to EV adoption is public perception.  The IEEE Paper goes into this in-depth.  The newly released film the Revenge of the Electric Car has a commercial appeal with an important story to help engage the public.

Auto executives understand that gap is a challenge for EV adoption and each manufacturer has different approaches to meet it.

GM believes that range anxiety is a key challenge. In an interview, Tony Posawatz, Chevy Volt Line Director, called the Chevy Volt a “connected electric vehicle” with the rollout standard OnStar for a period of time.   The OnStar tracking system and technology is why Posawatz said, “We believe that the Chevy Volt will be the smartest device on the Smart Grid.” That confidence is based on a “special relationship” managed through the Electric Power Research Institute where General Motors has engaged a about 50 of EPRI’s utilities to work together on everything from standards to rollout to communication plans to interfaces, to smart grid solutions.

Nissan is using vertical integration and making a significant investment in EVs to bring costs down faster than its competitors.  In a private interview, Mark Perry, director of planning, Nissan North America explained their first mover’s advantage in the United States, with the reasonably priced, “All Electric Zero Emissions Vehicle, the Nissan Leaf and mass media internet campaign.”  Nissan is also a supporter of Level 3 DC fast charging, unlike most other automakers.  Their strategy is to deploy infrastructure across six states with multiple DC fast-charging stations.

The Chinese battery and automaker BYD has less experience, but more to gain, and is pursuing EVs partly due to their simpler engineering.  Paul Lin, spokesman for BYD, said in a private interview that the company also takes advantage of vertical integration but is not bound by legal and liability constraints that other manufacturers face. The lower requirements of the domestic Chinese market, and less danger of hurting their brand, allow BYD to be more aggressive than traditional automakers.

Findings from the recent IPCCC Special Report Renewable Energy Sources are based on science that proves renewable energy can provide for 80% of our total global energy consumption.

The IEEE paper explains, “Grid-enabled vehicles (GEV), such as electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in (PHEVs) can help address environmental and energy issues by using electricity rather than petroleum. Overall, from well to wheels, GEVs reduce the energy consumption and emissions in the transportation sector.”

This paper offers a resource for making personal choices for sustainable transportation that impact the overriding issue of our time – global climate change. T0 read a different version of the article published in Environment News Service (Click Here). 

Video of Kids Ocean Day

Team effort by Micheal Klubock  with Aerial Artist John Quigley’s direction, the video here was produced by Golden Dolphin Films and Leslie Morova for Kid’s World Ocean Day  and the Malibu Foundation.

There were so many events for World Oceans Day, but in proportion to the destruction we have done we need many more, every day.

In World Team Now‘s home base in Malibu there was a “Paddle for Peace”

Breakthroughs, Launches and Warnings is a good article  by Environment News Service (ENS) on the U.N.’s Annual World Oceans Day.

In World Team Now’s other base, New York- the iconic Empire State Building was purple, blue and white honoring the United Nations World Oceans Day.

Peace Paddle 2011 included 230 participants off the coast of Paradise Cove Credit Craig Schmitman/NRDC

Disneyland claims to be the “happiest place on earth,” I have always felt that the happiest place on earth was in the ocean.  I focus on the beauty, remembering swimming with the dolphins in the wild.  When I would go out and float past the break they would come to me like a magnet, almost daily for more than ten years at Zuma, Beach in Malibu, sometimes on The Big Island of Hawaii too.

Thanks to all who showed up for these and other events from our communities in California and New York.  Click here to read more about the Peace Paddle in The Malibu Patch and event for the NRDC.

We have to focus on the positive for World Oceans Day, even though the global environmental situation is unfathomable.